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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
## ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Council is called to order.
## MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 9 and 11 January 1979 were confirmed. (Mr Ambrose K. C. Choi arrived at this point.)
## STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English): -Every now and then, there is a predictable flurry of political activity. An ungainly attempt is made in the excitement to disparage the Council and its achievements either directly or by implication. Were the criticism constructive, and demonstrably good for Hong Kong, it would be accepted without retort. However, when such is not the case, there is also a clear public duty to correct the false impressions unfortunately created.
These periodic forays into political fantasy serve no good purpose in the local circumstances. For, Hong Kong is a mixed society, by no means homogeneous, so a sensible balance has to be struck all the time in the common interest and out of respect for different ways of life and thought. In any event, a spectacle to attract attention may also have a boomerang effect. It may well call into question the judgment of those directly concerned. It may tend even to diminish their credibility. This is their own problem of course. But it cannot be ignored when such action risks setting at naught the combined good work of the Council, seemingly without regard for fair-play. Accordingly, in all fairness, the Council's position must be stated in simple terms without fear or favour.
The actions and proceedings of the Council are a matter of public record and are irrefutable evidence of solid achievement all along the line. The community enjoys many benefits in real and positive terms because of the Council's many-sided work done in a businesslike manner in the true local tradition.
### The Council
The Council in its present form was created by law. Logically, the provisions apply until changed. Changing the law is beyond its powers, even were there the wish to do so. And, where the agitation is directed against a constitutional point affecting the existing territorial political structure, it is off target because it has nothing to do with this Council which has no legal authority to alter the situation. This is known to all and sundry.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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Neither should such a vital matter be lightly treated by the powers that be. The well-being of the people may be at stake. It should not be risked just to pander to the whims of a handful of persons who apparently refuse to come to terms with the socio-political realities of Hong Kong. The downright realistic people here are not impressed by impractical ideologies and have little patience with political gimmickry of any kind. They want to know simply if there is any direct benefit for them in any given situation because, quite rightly, they want to better their lot in life. This pragmatic attitude cannot be denied; much less can it be set aside by others at will. After all, it is the people's right to pursue happiness in their own way. Surely, this incontrovertible human-right is in essence what democracy is all about in the peculiar circumstances of the place. But, then, those who talk most about democracy seem least able to work together in the manner which makes it effective. Indeed, they fail to recognize its many practical manifestations in the everyday proceedings of the Council when others work quietly as a team for the good of the people which is really what counts in the end of course.
### Standing Orders
The Council's Standing Orders were drawn up by the members themselves. The limits of discretion and the extent of authority were fixed by common consent before 1973, including the agreement of those who now remonstrate, as the records prove though memory may be short. Indeed, the Standing Orders now in force are actually not new and also contain nothing out of the ordinary. These working rules were mostly in use before re-constitution of the Council. At that time, there was already the down-to-earth requirement to confine debate to matters within the jurisdiction of the Council which the overwhelming majority strongly favoured for good reasons. It does not inhibit commonsense discussion for a practical purpose in the right place at a reasonable time.
### Committee Structure
The Council sets up its own committee structure which may be modified from year to year. All members together decide how the Council should work to achieve its goals. Thus, whether for management efficiency or political expediency, the present structure is not hard and fast. But there are also human and political considerations side by side with the sincere desire to re-shape the organization in modern management terms. In any case, membership of all select committees is by free choice. Elections are held each year for chairman and vice-chairman of each and every select committee. In other words, members join such committees as they like and freely choose their own leaders together.
### Meetings
The Council meets once in open session and often twice again in working sessions every month. Most select committees meet monthly as do panels
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Page 120 of 135
200
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Council is called to order.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 9 and 11 January 1979 were confirmed. (Mr Ambrose K. C. Choi arrived at this point.)
STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English): -Every now and then, there is a predictable flurry of political activity. An ungainly attempt is made in the excitement to disparage the Council and its achievements either directly or by implication. Were the criticism constructive, and demonstrably good for Hong Kong, it would be accepted without retort. However, when such is not the case, there is also a clear public duty to correct the false impressions unfortunately created.
These periodic forays into political fantasy serve no good purpose in the local circumstances. For, Hong Kong is a mixed society, by no means homogeneous, so a sensible balance has to be struck all the time in the common interest and out of respect for different ways of life and thought. In any event, a spectacle to attract attention may also have a boomerang effect. It may well call into question the judgment of those directly concerned. It may tend even to diminish their credibility. This is their own problem of course. But it cannot be ignored when such action risks setting at naught the combined good work of the Council, seemingly without regard for fair- play. Accordingly, in all fairness, the Council's position must be stated in simple terms without fear or favour.
The actions and proceedings of the Council are a matter of public record and are irrefutable evidence of solid achievement all along the line. The community enjoys many benefits in real and positive terms because of the Council's many-sided work done in a businesslike manner in the true local tradition.
The Council
The Council in its present form was created by law. Logically, the provisions apply until changed. Changing the law is beyond its powers, even were there the wish to do so. And, where the agitation is directed against a constitutional point affecting the existing territorial political structure, it is off target because it has nothing to do with this Council which has no legal authority to alter the situation. This is known to all and sundry.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 120 of 13
201
Neither should such a vital matter be lightly treated by the powers that be. The well-being of the people may be at stake. It should not be risked just to pander to the whims of a handful of persons who apparently refuse to come to terms with the socio-political realities of Hong Kong. The downright realistic people here are not impressed by impractical ideologies and have little patience with political gimmickry of any kind. They want to know simply if there is any direct benefit for them in any given situation because, quite rightly, they want to better their lot in life. This pragmatic attitude cannot be denied; much less can it be set aside by others at will. After all, it is the people's right to pursue happiness in their own way. Surely, this incontrovertible human-right is in essence what democracy is all about in the peculiar circumstances of the place. But, then, those who talk most about democracy seem least able to work together in the manner which makes it effective. Indeed, they fail to recognize its many practical manifestations in the everyday proceedings of the Council when others work quietly as a team for the good of the people which is really what counts in the end of course.
Standing Orders
The Council's Standing Orders were drawn up by the members themselves. The limits of discretion and the extent of authority were fixed by common consent before 1973, including the agreement of those who now remonstrate, as the records prove though memory may be short. Indeed, the Standing Orders now in force are actually not new and also contain nothing out of the ordinary. These working rules were mostly in use before re-constitution of the Council. At that time, there was already the down-to-earth requirement to confine debate to matters within the jurisdiction of the Council which the overwhelming majority strongly favoured for good reasons. It does not inhibit commonsense discussion for a practical purpose in the right place at a reasonable time.
Committee Structure
The Council sets up its own committee structure which may be modified from year to year. All members together decide how the Council should work to achieve its goals. Thus, whether for management efficiency or political expediency, the present structure is not hard and fast. But there are also human and political considerations side by side with the sincere desire to re-shape the organization in modern management terms. In any case, membership of all select committees is by free choice. Elections are held each year for chairman and vice-chairman of each and every select committee. In other words, members join such committees as they like and freely choose their own leaders together.
Meetings
The Council meets once in open session and often twice again in working sessions every month. Most select committees meet monthly as do panels
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